Starting at
Starting at
310 | Maximum Horsepower (hp) | 245 |
400 | Maximum Torque (lb-ft) | 275 |
77.6 | Maximum Cargo Capacity (cu.ft.) | 65.2 |
The 2021 Ford Bronco is the new standard for off-road performance. However, it is not just one vehicle, but three. These are the Bronco Two-Door, the Bronco Four-Door, and the Bronco Sport. The Bronco Two-Door and Bronco Four-Door are closely related designs that have few differences other than their size and number of doors. They are thoroughbred off-road machines with rugged body on frame construction, removable doors, and a plethora of performance features. The Bronco Sport may share the same name, but it is an entirely different design that is equally at home on the road or off of it. With its more conventional construction, the Bronco Sport is better suited to daily driving than it's rough and tumble siblings, but some serious performance lurks behind its more mature facade. Still, unsure which version of the 2021 Ford Bronco is the best option for your needs? Then keep reading for a detailed comparison of the 2021 Ford Bronco vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport.
The largest difference between the three variants of the 2021 Bronco is their basic construction. The Bronco Four-Door and Bronco Two-Door are both traditional body on frame vehicles that even make use of a solid rear axle for ultimate durability and performance while off-road. In contrast, the Bronco Sport uses unibody construction and multi-link suspension. But while the Bronco Sport may not have all of the performance of the Bronco Four-Door and Bronco Two-Door, that does not mean that it is merely another dressed up crossover SUV and there are few vehicles that can keep up with a Bronco Sport off-road.
All three versions of the 2021 Ford Bronco come standard with a true four-wheel drive system that includes a two-speed transfer case for serious work. On the Bronco Sport, this system can be further upgraded with a twin-clutch rear differential that can shift power laterally to the wheel that needs it the most or even lock entirely to keep both wheels moving together. On the Bronco Two-Door and Bronco Four-Door, the four-wheel drive system has optional front and rear locking differentials for unbeatable traction in all terrains.
However, the most unique part of the Bronco powertrain is the standard seven-speed manual transmission. It is almost impossible to even find a normal manual transmission in a modern vehicle, but Ford went above and beyond by designing a brand new seven-speed unit purposely built for off-road driving. Rather than adding another high gear for highway fuel economy, the seventh gear in this transmission is actually an ultra-low gear. Marked “C” for “Crawl” on the shifter, this gear is behind the reverse lockout and is not used for normal driving. However, if you prefer to let a computer handle gear shifts so that you can keep your eyes on the trail and your hands on the wheel, then the Bronco Sport is available with an eight-speed automatic while the Bronco Two-Door and Bronco Four-Door can be had with a state of the art ten-speed automatic.
When it comes to power, Ford has decided to offer a selection of its renowned EcoBoost turbocharged engines. The Bronco Sport offers the choice between a 1.5L turbo producing 181 horsepower and 190 lb-ft of torque or a 2.0L turbo with 245 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque. The larger Bronco Two-Door and Bronco Four-Door, however, come with either a 2.3L turbo with 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque or a mighty 2.7L turbo generating 310 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. While the use of only turbocharged engines is somewhat unorthodox in off-road vehicles, it allows the 2021 Ford Bronco to offer exceptional power while keeping weight and fuel consumption low for superior performance and range.
When it comes to off-road driving, the 2021 Ford Bronco is without peer. A quick look at its performance specifications will reveal a litany of “best in class” features. These include best in class maximum ground clearance, maximum break over angle, departure angle, crawl ratio, and suspension travel. With its “Sasquatch Package” that includes a factory suspension lift and 35-inch all-terrain tires on 17-inch wheels, the Bronco Two-Door and Bronco Four-Door have an incredible 11.6 inches of ground clearance, allowing them to drive over obstacles with ease. And when it comes to fording ability, they can travel through up to 33.5 inches of water without problem.
If you attempt this when the doors are removed, then your feet might get wet, but that will not stop the Bronco as the entire interior of the vehicle is fully sealed against water. This also means that you can leave the top down in the rain or even hose down the interior after getting it dirty during off-road adventures. And while the smaller Bronco Sport might not be quite as tall or as waterproof as its big brothers, it still sports 8.8 inches of ground clearance and can wade through up to 23.6 inches of water.
But the inherent performance of the 2021 Ford Bronco’s design is further enhanced by the use of advanced technology. While locking differentials and a hydraulic sway bar disconnect are standard fare for this class of vehicle, Ford took things a step further with the Bronco’s available HOSS or High-performance Off-road Stability Suspension. This system is based on the same technology found in Baja racing vehicles and uses Bilstein position-sensitive dampers that can adjust suspension stiffness depending on suspension travel. The Bronco also uses independent front suspension, giving it superior handling to vehicles with solid front axles. Together, these two design choices make the 2021 Ford Bronco the undisputed champion of high-speed off-road driving. And of course, the vehicle is available with a comprehensive set of skid plates and rock rails to provide protection on the roughest of trails. No matter where life takes you, the Bronco has the performance to get you there and, more importantly, get you back.
The most noticeable feature on Ford’s Bronco Two-Door and Bronco Four-Door is their quick detach doors and roof. But while the Bronco does not offer the only open6-air driving experience, it does have a few tricks up its sleeve. First, it was designed so that the doors fit neatly in the back of the vehicle, allowing you to take them with you or even remove them halfway through a drive. Second, the side mirrors are attached to the body of the Bronco rather than to the doors, allowing you to check your blind spots even when you are enjoying the fresh air. In another nod to improved driver awareness, the Bronco also includes a pair of “trail sights” to help keep track of where you are headed. And these also double as reinforced mounting points that allow even heavy objects to be securely strapped to the hood. While all of these features are not available on the smaller Bronco Sport, it has some special tricks of its own. These include class-exclusive under-seat storage for small items, a slide-out rear table for those times when the nearest furniture is far away, and even seat back MOLLE panels that can be used to attach pouches and gear for easy access.
And while the 2021 Bronco may carry a classic name, inside it is filled with 21st-century technology designed to aid performance driving. The Bronco Two-Door and Four-Door are available with a massive 12-inch central infotainment screen as well as a digital instrument cluster, both of which can be used to display a variety of vital information such as differential status, tire pressure, and tilt angle. And if side mirrors and trail sights are not enough for proper situational awareness, then make use of Ford’s new 360-degree Off-Road Spotter camera views that let you see all of your surroundings down to the smallest pebble. Further, the Bronco’s navigation system even includes trail maps to keep you on course when the nearest road is miles away. Finally, Ford has incorporated a race-inspired lap recording feature that allows you to save your off-road adventures for future viewing or even to share with friends.
And of course, in addition to its specialized features, the Bronco still has Ford’s latest Sync infotainment software that can seamlessly handle more mundane tasks such as answering phone calls and playing music.